Director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
DIRECTOR OF THE PAUL SIMON PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE

Southern Illinois University Carbondale invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Founded in 1997 by former U.S. Senator Paul Simon (D-IL) when he retired from elected office, the Institute is a bipartisan public service center with a broad-ranging mission to study and act on significant and controversial issues impacting the region, state, nation, and world. It is committed to developing and implementing approaches that could bring concrete, positive results by tackling some of the most difficult challenges in the public policy arena. The Institute focuses on fostering ethical conduct in government, opportunity and fair treatment for citizens in America and throughout the world, and, development of responsible citizenship for all Americans - but particularly for young people. Senator Simon characterized the Institute as a “do tank” rather than as a “think tank” to emphasize its mission of finding practical solutions to today’s challenges. The Institute identifies challenging contemporary public policy issues that demand innovative thinking and research. Since its founding, the Institute has convened symposia of experts on a variety of diverse topics such as Social Security, water resources, poverty, and American foreign policy. These conferences sparked concrete and specific recommendations for change in state and national policies, resulting in positive impact on the public agenda both in Illinois and in the United States. The Institute has also contributed to the University, community and region by inviting distinguished national and international figures to discuss a wide variety of important public policy topics, and by engaging in public policy polling on issues that impact the region, state and nation. The Institute has also sought and received grants and endowments to support a number of its major programs.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Director: The Director is responsible for the management of all facets of the Institute’s mission and the implementation of its short-term and long-range plans. The Director will ensure that Senator Simon’s original commitment to a visible, active and relevant public policy institute is continued and amplified. The Director is ordinarily expected to teach at least one course per year in her/his academic discipline or area of specialization. The Director is responsible for the management of a staff of 3 full-time and 3 part-time employees and a small number of student workers and graduate assistants. The Director also takes the lead in securing gifts for the Institute’s endowment and in seeking grants and contracts to support its programs. The Director reports to the Provost of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus and is advised by a national Board of Counselors.

Qualifications: The Director must have qualifications to be appointed to the rank of University Professor. Applicants must hold at least a Master's degree in an applicable academic discipline, although a documented record of distinguished public and/or professional accomplishment can substitute for this requirement. Applicants must have a record of significant public and/or professional service at the state or national level.  Preference will be given to those who can teach in Journalism, Political Science, History or related disciplines, and to applicants with demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in diversity and cultural competency. Experience or skills in the management of a staff and budgeting as well as fundraising is preferred. 

 Salary will be commensurate with professional record and experience. Letters of nomination or application along with a resume or curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of at least three references should be sent to Dr. John S. Jackson, Chair, Director Search Committee, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, SIU Carbondale, 1231 Lincoln Drive, Mail Code 4429, Carbondale, IL 62901 or to jsjacson@siu.edu.   Nominees will be contacted by the search committee to determine their interest in making an application. Applicants should include a statement of their interest in the work of the Institute and how they would lead it in the future. Review of applications will begin July 1, 2017, and continue until the position is filled. Letters of reference will be requested only for those candidates in the finalist pool. The position will be available for occupancy on November 1, 2017, or as soon thereafter as possible.

SIUC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.